Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

The result of the Polling , as regards the successful candidates , both Male and Female , will be found in our Advertisement columns . The number of Votes polled by the Unsuccessful has been returned as nnder : —

Great interest is being taken in Masonio circles in Sussex in the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , to be held at Brighton next month . Tbe Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master is to preside , and so great a gathering is anticipated that , besides the Dome , where the banquet is to take place , the wholo of the Pavilion rooms have been taken . Doubtless the Freemasons of the district

will assist to make the occasion one worthy of Brighton and the Province of Sussex , by serving as Stewards and assisting in giving a hearty welcome to the many visitors who will come from the North and all parts of England . The Festival of the Royal Masonio Institution for Boys is one of the rare occasions on whioh ladies are permitted to share in tbe banquet . The event will be unique in the history of Masonry in Sussex . —8 ussea Daily News .

The success of the garden party at the Botanical Gardens , Old lrafford , Manchester , last year , when £ 150 was handed over to the Masonio Charities , has emboldened the Manchester and district Lodges to organize another for the coming summer . Arrangements

nave accordingly been made for a garden party on Saturday , 4 th f- vv profits re 8 alting to be given to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonio Benevolent and Educational Institution . Mr . Thomas mack has been appointed Chairman , and Mr . John E . Lees and Mr . " « --raig Roylo Honorary Secretaries .

Ar00302

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Shaftesbury . — " Handfast , " by Henry Hamilton and Mark Quinton , was the play happily selected by Messrs . Rathbone and Sidney , Herbert-Basing for the reopening of this Theatre on Saturday evening last . A word of praise is due to the new management for the pains taken iu making the house ao bright and attractive , for the introduction of tho electric light , whioh is a very groat

improvement , and for generously abolishing all fees . " Handfast " is a very interesting and exciting sooiety melodrama , in three acts ; containing several thrilling incidents whioh are well worked out , the interest being thoroughly sustained throughout the play . Tho story starts at Richmond , at the house of Jocelyn Woodville ( Mr . Lewis Waller ) , who is dangerously ill and not expected to live more than

a few hours His last moments are troubled by the knowledge that his cousin , Austin Woodville ( Mr . Cyril Maude ) is a scoundrel , and in order that hia cousin shall nofc benefit by his death , he proposes to marry a young girl named Beatrice Culver ( Miss Winifred Emery ) , and thus secure fche fortune for her . Austin and hia villainous companion , Lambert D ' aroy ( Mr . Abingdon ) , hearing of this intention , take

plot to bring about Jooelyn ' s death before the marriage can place . They , however , fail to accomplish this , as the drug which they intended to poison Jocelyn with effects his recovery . Beatrice Culver , knowing the generous motive whioh prompted Jocelyn to marry her , determines not to profit by his kindness . Consequently , she disappearsand some two years afterwards turns up again as

, Madame de Ligniao . In the meantime Jocelyn becomes the Earl of Cirencester , so matters are considerably mixed when these two , meeting as strangers , fall in love , with the knowledge that already they are married . Of course there are a number of little plots woven into the main story ; bufc all create more or less interest . In the first act we are introduced to Irene Kingston ( Miss Annie Hughes ) who

is evidently a great favourite if the outburst of applause with whioh she was welcomed as she stepped on the stage meant anything . The little love scenes between Marmaduke Marsh ( Mr . H . Reeves Smith ) and this lady were muoh appreciated . The second act presents a lovely view of Naples , and Mias Emery , dressed with exquisite taste , won all hearts with her sympathetic voice and earnest manner . The

third act gives ns a still more beautiful view , a Naples Villa , gorgeously decorated with flowering oleanders and orange trees , laden with golden fruit ; a picture pleasing and delightful . The scene between Mr . Lewis Waller and Miss Winifred Emery , as husband and wife , in this last act , was mosfc charmingly sustained ,

and the awakening from donbt and despair to passionate love and happiness could not help making a lasting impression on all present . The large audience assembled gave most hearty applause to every one concerned in the production of " Handfast , " whioh is a play thafc we think will " catch on . "

On Monday next Miss Victoria Vokes will make her re-appearance in London , afc the Shaftesbury Theatre ( after an absence of eight years ); she will be supported by Miss Annie Vokes , Miss Lilian Hingston , Mr . Fred Mervin , Mr . Walter Everard , and Mr . Fawdon Vokes .

Gaiety . — " Carmen np to Data " may be looked upon as the sheet on which magic lantern slides are exhibited , new songs or fresh dances are introduced as time and opportunity serve . On Wednesday the following additions were made : —Pas Senl , by Miss Maude Wilmot ; Scena , " Toreador , the pet of all the fair , " by Mr . W . H . Brockbank ; Song , " The Recreation Army , " by Mr . E . J . Lonnen j Smuggler ' s Barcarole , " Now after all , " by Miss Leicester ; New Dance , by Miss

Boyal Aquarium . —In addition to tbe usual round of attractions , the management this week presented a very fine collection of early summer flowers whioh , considering the varied fluctuations of temperature dnring the spring , was interesting as well as acceptable . The principal objects of attraction were the roses , of which there were several very fine specimens , Messrs . W .

Paul and Sons , the celebrated growers of Cheshunt , taking the chief prize of a silver medal , while Mr . Ramsey of Waltham Cross secured a first prize for his beantiful exhibition of flowers in pots . Silver medals were also awarded to Messrs . Barr and Sons of Covent Garden , and Mr . Ware of Tottenham for collections of hardy flowers . The very fine calladiums and foliage plants shown by Messrs . John Laing and Sons , of Forest Hill , well deserved the first honours in this class ,

and Mr . H . James , of West Norwood , was rewarded with a prize for his magnificent gloxinias and herbaceous calceolarias . Mr . J . Hudd , of Blackheath Park , was a winner in class of greenhouse and stove plants , the ferns being especially noticeable . The show was witnessed by a large nnmber of visitors , who were doubtless surprised and delighted at seeing the result achieved in spito of such adverse circumstances . '

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

The result of the Polling , as regards the successful candidates , both Male and Female , will be found in our Advertisement columns . The number of Votes polled by the Unsuccessful has been returned as nnder : —

Great interest is being taken in Masonio circles in Sussex in the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , to be held at Brighton next month . Tbe Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master is to preside , and so great a gathering is anticipated that , besides the Dome , where the banquet is to take place , the wholo of the Pavilion rooms have been taken . Doubtless the Freemasons of the district

will assist to make the occasion one worthy of Brighton and the Province of Sussex , by serving as Stewards and assisting in giving a hearty welcome to the many visitors who will come from the North and all parts of England . The Festival of the Royal Masonio Institution for Boys is one of the rare occasions on whioh ladies are permitted to share in tbe banquet . The event will be unique in the history of Masonry in Sussex . —8 ussea Daily News .

The success of the garden party at the Botanical Gardens , Old lrafford , Manchester , last year , when £ 150 was handed over to the Masonio Charities , has emboldened the Manchester and district Lodges to organize another for the coming summer . Arrangements

nave accordingly been made for a garden party on Saturday , 4 th f- vv profits re 8 alting to be given to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonio Benevolent and Educational Institution . Mr . Thomas mack has been appointed Chairman , and Mr . John E . Lees and Mr . " « --raig Roylo Honorary Secretaries .

Ar00302

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Shaftesbury . — " Handfast , " by Henry Hamilton and Mark Quinton , was the play happily selected by Messrs . Rathbone and Sidney , Herbert-Basing for the reopening of this Theatre on Saturday evening last . A word of praise is due to the new management for the pains taken iu making the house ao bright and attractive , for the introduction of tho electric light , whioh is a very groat

improvement , and for generously abolishing all fees . " Handfast " is a very interesting and exciting sooiety melodrama , in three acts ; containing several thrilling incidents whioh are well worked out , the interest being thoroughly sustained throughout the play . Tho story starts at Richmond , at the house of Jocelyn Woodville ( Mr . Lewis Waller ) , who is dangerously ill and not expected to live more than

a few hours His last moments are troubled by the knowledge that his cousin , Austin Woodville ( Mr . Cyril Maude ) is a scoundrel , and in order that hia cousin shall nofc benefit by his death , he proposes to marry a young girl named Beatrice Culver ( Miss Winifred Emery ) , and thus secure fche fortune for her . Austin and hia villainous companion , Lambert D ' aroy ( Mr . Abingdon ) , hearing of this intention , take

plot to bring about Jooelyn ' s death before the marriage can place . They , however , fail to accomplish this , as the drug which they intended to poison Jocelyn with effects his recovery . Beatrice Culver , knowing the generous motive whioh prompted Jocelyn to marry her , determines not to profit by his kindness . Consequently , she disappearsand some two years afterwards turns up again as

, Madame de Ligniao . In the meantime Jocelyn becomes the Earl of Cirencester , so matters are considerably mixed when these two , meeting as strangers , fall in love , with the knowledge that already they are married . Of course there are a number of little plots woven into the main story ; bufc all create more or less interest . In the first act we are introduced to Irene Kingston ( Miss Annie Hughes ) who

is evidently a great favourite if the outburst of applause with whioh she was welcomed as she stepped on the stage meant anything . The little love scenes between Marmaduke Marsh ( Mr . H . Reeves Smith ) and this lady were muoh appreciated . The second act presents a lovely view of Naples , and Mias Emery , dressed with exquisite taste , won all hearts with her sympathetic voice and earnest manner . The

third act gives ns a still more beautiful view , a Naples Villa , gorgeously decorated with flowering oleanders and orange trees , laden with golden fruit ; a picture pleasing and delightful . The scene between Mr . Lewis Waller and Miss Winifred Emery , as husband and wife , in this last act , was mosfc charmingly sustained ,

and the awakening from donbt and despair to passionate love and happiness could not help making a lasting impression on all present . The large audience assembled gave most hearty applause to every one concerned in the production of " Handfast , " whioh is a play thafc we think will " catch on . "

On Monday next Miss Victoria Vokes will make her re-appearance in London , afc the Shaftesbury Theatre ( after an absence of eight years ); she will be supported by Miss Annie Vokes , Miss Lilian Hingston , Mr . Fred Mervin , Mr . Walter Everard , and Mr . Fawdon Vokes .

Gaiety . — " Carmen np to Data " may be looked upon as the sheet on which magic lantern slides are exhibited , new songs or fresh dances are introduced as time and opportunity serve . On Wednesday the following additions were made : —Pas Senl , by Miss Maude Wilmot ; Scena , " Toreador , the pet of all the fair , " by Mr . W . H . Brockbank ; Song , " The Recreation Army , " by Mr . E . J . Lonnen j Smuggler ' s Barcarole , " Now after all , " by Miss Leicester ; New Dance , by Miss

Boyal Aquarium . —In addition to tbe usual round of attractions , the management this week presented a very fine collection of early summer flowers whioh , considering the varied fluctuations of temperature dnring the spring , was interesting as well as acceptable . The principal objects of attraction were the roses , of which there were several very fine specimens , Messrs . W .

Paul and Sons , the celebrated growers of Cheshunt , taking the chief prize of a silver medal , while Mr . Ramsey of Waltham Cross secured a first prize for his beantiful exhibition of flowers in pots . Silver medals were also awarded to Messrs . Barr and Sons of Covent Garden , and Mr . Ware of Tottenham for collections of hardy flowers . The very fine calladiums and foliage plants shown by Messrs . John Laing and Sons , of Forest Hill , well deserved the first honours in this class ,

and Mr . H . James , of West Norwood , was rewarded with a prize for his magnificent gloxinias and herbaceous calceolarias . Mr . J . Hudd , of Blackheath Park , was a winner in class of greenhouse and stove plants , the ferns being especially noticeable . The show was witnessed by a large nnmber of visitors , who were doubtless surprised and delighted at seeing the result achieved in spito of such adverse circumstances . '